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OIC Reiterates Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Sudan

Smoke billows behind residential buildings in eastern Khartoum on April 17, 2023, fighting in Sudan raged for a third day in battles between the army and RSF. (AFP)
Smoke billows behind residential buildings in eastern Khartoum on April 17, 2023, fighting in Sudan raged for a third day in battles between the army and RSF. (AFP)
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OIC Reiterates Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Sudan

Smoke billows behind residential buildings in eastern Khartoum on April 17, 2023, fighting in Sudan raged for a third day in battles between the army and RSF. (AFP)
Smoke billows behind residential buildings in eastern Khartoum on April 17, 2023, fighting in Sudan raged for a third day in battles between the army and RSF. (AFP)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation reiterated on Monday its call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his deep concern over the ongoing fighting in Sudan, warning that an escalation will have dire consequences on civilians and the humanitarian situation in the country.

He underscored the OIC’s support for international efforts aimed at reaching a truce to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid and evacuate the wounded and people caught in the fighting between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

He stressed the need to return to peace and negotiations to overcome the dangerous crisis that is threatening Sudan’s security, safety and unity.

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Egypt Tightens Measures to Prevent Another Crisis of Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt Tightens Measures to Prevent Another Crisis of Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt is intensifying its measures to prevent another crisis of illegal Hajj pilgrims, which had taken place in 2024 when thousands of people exploited visas to enter Saudi Arabia to illegally perform the Hajj.

Egyptian authorities had warned companies against flying travelers without the right visa. Coordination and communication are ongoing with Saudi authorities over the issue.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei for talks on the measures Cairo is taking ahead of the upcoming Hajj season to avoid another crisis.

Egypt has formed a committee, headed by the prime minister, to manage the Hajj crisis.

A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said the ambassador stressed that firm measures will be taking against companies that commit violations related to the Hajj.

Last week, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi formed a “crisis cell” that has referred 16 officials from a tourism company to the general prosecution for Hajj violations.

Egyptian authorities have hailed Saudi Arabia for providing all forms of support to legal pilgrims during the Hajj.

Member of the parliamentary tourism committee Ahmed Idriss said state agencies have taken measures to avert a new Hajj crisis in 2025.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said efforts have focused on combating fake entities that claim to be organizing Hajj trips, and on coordinating with Saudi authorities to crackdown on violators.